Often one of the most overlooked in Houston’s famed rapper gene rapper, Z-Ro isn’t one to let popularity and politics stand in his way. Readying his 12th solo album Crack, the Mo City Don stays loyal to his strengths in terms of making admirable Southern rap tunes and at the least, keeps things consistent.

Those unfamiliar with the sounds of Z-Ro may caught off guard from his deep baritone that can switch from flow to song in the drop of a dime, but the same things that make him peculiar are also the nucleus to his originality. Like the slow burning “Here We Go” where Ro croons on the hook then proceeds to rip through his verse with a double-timed delivery that exhibits his versatile flow.

Other examples of said practices include the Mýa assisted “Tired” which excels due to the fluid harmony of the lyrics over a placid Tone Capone beat. Still, the communicable LP finds time to switch it up as heard on “If You That’s How You Feel” which ironically serves as a dance number despite Z-Ro singing “Other than boppin’ my head/I’ma just stand there!”

Produced primarily by Z-Ro, the musical selection works well in conveying the sentiments the songs are trying to display. The somber bass drops “Lonely” compliment Z-Ro’s foul-mouthed rants on unfaithful women while “25 Lighter’s” slightly screwed up jam session, is pure speaker candy and justifies the 10 minute playing length. But Mr. Lee comes through with the album’s diamond in the rough “Top Notch,” where he resurrects the late Sweet James Jones’ charisma on the chorus over a sparkling Willie Hutch sample.

Although Crack never lives up to it’s infectious album title as Z-Ro rarely impresses with his subject matter, it doesn’t manage to lag far behind either. Simply put, it will satisfy those needing a fix of Z-Ro’s freebased life chronicles as he’s likely cooking up some more for the near future.

Of course. Pac & Big on the screw? Fire. Best song. It’s the centerpiece of the rating.

10.22.08 at 4:22 pm

texastoker

retail cover art.

Thx LC!

10.22.08 at 4:39 pm

Greums : Boss Don Season

” However, Stat clarified to DX that the Eminem and Jay-Z collaboration was in fact not “Dance On It,” but another song, one that may make its way to the buying public very soon.
“The song that featured Jay-Z is a song that Em’s putting on his album called ‘My Syllielable” – it’s like ‘my syllable,’

10.22.08 at 4:42 pm

Greums : Boss Don Season

In addition to his own future recordings, Statquo plans to release everything he recorded during his stint at Shady/Aftermath.
“All that shit coming out,” he revealed. “Everything that I done rapped on, everybody gonna hear it. You can quote me on that. Everything that I done rapped on, I don’t care who did the beat…Everything that my voice on that I’ve done over these years with them, everybody gonna hear it. I’m just waiting on the right time to put it out…I’m talking about 300, 400 Dre [tracks]. I’m talking about 100 Em beats I’m spittin’ on…”

10.22.08 at 4:43 pm

Teeph

Happy Belated 22nd B-Day!

10.22.08 at 4:46 pm

GREUMS : D-12 Before The Obama Day !

fifty and game on tha new busta album. da rumor is that’s an old track with fifty with a remix verse added by game. but… bus-a-bus’ B.O.M.B coming soon. so? let we see his fucking busta bullshit !! peace

10.22.08 at 5:51 pm

Big Fonz

Happy Born Day Son!

10.22.08 at 5:51 pm

El Rosado "can't wear skinny jeans cause my nuts won't fit"

There was this girl we used to call crack….well that was her nickname at least and we just went with it. Yes, she was banging, and the P was (allegedly) so good dudes got addicted to it and started fiending for it all the damn time at all times of the day and hours of the night. And when she stopped fucking with said guy(s) they would get all crazy going through withdrawals and shit. I tested her head game one time, not very addictive at all, I guess we could call that “weed.”

That’s all, goodbye.

10.22.08 at 5:54 pm

El Rosado "can't wear skinny jeans cause my nuts won't fit"

Oh yeah, happy 22nd bruh, when I get home from work later tonight I’ll make sure to stand on the balcony of my crib and blow the smoke from my stick stick of dro’ South towards Texas in salutations. From Chi town to TX, the wind shall carry the scent of the herbals.

10.22.08 at 7:39 pm

BuLLiT

LOL @ “Review Of Z-Ro’s Crack”

That gets a huge pause

———-
LOL xD

10.22.08 at 7:56 pm

AmpGeez

Z-to is that dude. Consitency is the key to longevity & Ro is like 12 albums in.

10.22.08 at 8:02 pm

AmpGeez

I’m working off an itouch so forgive my bad spelling LOL.

10.22.08 at 8:18 pm

Nunchuk Nino

There was this girl we used to call crack….well that was her nickname at least and we just went with it. Yes, she was banging, and the P was (allegedly) so good dudes got addicted to it and started fiending for it all the damn time at all times of the day and hours of the night. And when she stopped fucking with said guy(s) they would get all crazy going through withdrawals and shit. I tested her head game one time, not very addictive at all, I guess we could call that “weed.”

@ Nunchuk: I just usually run with my stream of conscious train of thought, until that ish derails, hence the randomness.

@Texas: Word, I need to get up in Toronto, actually it’s supposedly a “sister city” whatever the fuck that means, of Chicago. I been to Vancouver, went to Windsor for the legalized gambling and lowered drinking age when I was 20, but haven’t made that venture to T Dot yet. Either way, I’ll blow my smoke northwards, t minus 3 minutes lol.

10.24.08 at 6:26 pm

Word?

Z-Ro is the shit
and thats probably the best album cover i’ve ever seen, haha
anyone heard that new Trae ‘beginning’ yet?